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Private Notes
Paul and Sheryl have a rough 3-day passage from the Azores and arrive in Madeira at the main harbour of Funchal. They explore Madeira island seeing winemakers, high peaks and walk lovely hiking trails along "levadas" which carry water around the island.
Leaving from Madeira, the Shards sail to the Canary Islands where they prepare for the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers ARC+ Rally. Setting off from Las Palmas they join 60 or so yachts sailing to the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa.
Distant Shores III and 60 other sailboats depart from Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands, on the second leg of the ARC+ Rally to sail 2,200 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. The Shards and their crew face many obstacles en route including broken gear before they arrive in St. Lucia in the Caribbean.
It's April and Paul and Sheryl sail from the British Virgin Islands to Antigua for two of the biggest events in the Caribbean sailing calendar - the legendary Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and the long running Antigua Sailing Week.
Sheryl and Paul drop anchor at Anguilla, renowned for amazing beaches but find much more than that as they check out the boating scene, the racing scene and get out aboard one of the most exciting local race boats they've ever experienced.
It's early July and Paul and Sheryl sail to the tiny island of Nevis to participate in the Culturama Festival, explore the island by bicycle. hike in the rainforest and work with a local group to tag nesting turtles on a moonlit beach.
The Shards begin their search for a new boat. They try out a catamaran for three weeks in the British Virgin Islands. In the UK, they test sail a luxury world cruiser and another Southerly. While in the UK, they visit a mysterious cave on the Cornish coast.
Paul & Sheryl have sold Distant Shores II and many people have asked what has happened to her, so while the new boat is being built, they update you and do a retrospective about all the miles they sailed her. They also going to talk about hurricanes and yacht insurance and yes, sadly, that's related to what's happened to Distant Shores II. Paul & Sheryl fly to England to check in on the build of the new Southerly 480.
This time on Distant Shores, Paul & Sheryl are crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a catamaran. It's they're first offshore passage on a cat, and they're looking forward to learning what cats are like on the open ocean. It's nearly 3,000 miles across, and will take up to three weeks.
The conclusion of the three week Atlantic crossing on a luxurious 50 catamaran. They catch some excellent fish, enjoy the first-rate galley and even jump overboard to cool off on a calm day in the middle of the Atlantic. Having sailed 3000 miles aboard her, the Shards render their opinion of sailing this gorgeous 50 foot yacht - built in England in the same factory where their new sailboat is almost complete!
This time on Distant Shores the Shards' new boat is unveiled at Boot Düsseldorf, the world’s largest indoor boat show, held in Germany each winter. They discover the delights of the Old City, then return to the shipyard in England for the official launch of sailing yacht Distant Shores III.
Paul & Sheryl test out the new boat in England sailing it in Southampton Waters and the Solent. Then they do a shakedown cruise along the south coast up to the Thames River estuary. Heading upriver they explore the Thames River Estuary and take in historic and natural sites as they make their way to the city of London.
Paul & Sheryl finally take delivery of the new boat and sail south saying good-bye to England. They visit the Channel Islands, sail amid dolphins who lend a hand with a propeller drama, show how they set the boat up to sail offshore, and visit Portugal and Spain on the way to Gibraltar.
